Personal Excellence Program

 

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This was the official website for promoting the Personal Excellence Program (PEP) developed at biotechnology company Genentech in 2002 by CIO Todd Pierce and his coach, Pamella Weiss.
content is from the site's archived pages as well as other sources.

To learn more about this extraordinary training program go to their current website: https://personalexcellence.co/courses/.

 

The Personal Excellence Program

Since 2006, the team at Appropriate Response has worked with over 650 employees at every level within the IT and Manufacturing departments within Genentech through the Personal Excellence Program (PEP.) PEP offers a comprehensive structure of personalized development over one year, including facilitated groups, individual coaching, communities of support and feedback, and the cultivation of peer coaching skills

 

“I’ve taken dozens of training programs.
But what PEP does is different—it teaches us how to learn!”
Munther Megdadi, Chief
Architect IT, Genentech

ABOUT

PEP begins with the premise that people are whole, not broken. By fully integrating the intellectual (head), emotional (heart) and somatic (body) intelligence, PEP is able to tap into people’s wholehearted engagement, helps them cultivate self-awareness, and supports them to develop mastery through embodied practice.
More than 800 Genentech employees have so far completed this program (primarily in the IT department) and it has dramatically improved employee engagement
This includes:
• 10-20% increase in employee satisfaction
• 12% increase in customer satisfaction;
• 50% percent improvement in employee communication, collaboration, conflict management and coaching; and
• 77% of PEP participants reported “significant measurable business impact” as a result of participating in PEP. This is almost three times the norm (25–30%), compared to dozens of similar programs studied.

In terms of a return on investment, evaluators found the program conservatively produced an estimated $1.50 to $2 for every dollar spent to deliver PEP.
“I thought PEP might be a strategy for people to develop a skill or quality,” said Pierce. “But what I see is that it is a strategy to help them be life-long learners and to increase their capacity for personal development and personal satisfaction in every area of their life.”
The PEP program takes place over a ten month period and includes three large group workshops, eight facilitated small group meetings, three individual coaching sessions and monthly peer coaching.

Participants choose a topic to focus on that is important to them, observe them selves in real time to gain insight and self-awareness, and then practice new behaviors to establish new habits and develop mastery.
Deliberate practice is the most significant indicator of success and this requires steady, consistent repetition over time, until new behaviors take root in the body as a new habit.
Mindfulness is about paying attention. It is about learning to observe one self in the context of day-to-day life to enable new insights and begin seeing yourself more clearly. The result is you can then make wiser choices. Increasing this self-awareness helps you cultivate the ability to act rather than react, enabling you to become response-able—even in the midst of high-stress situations.

“I think what makes PEP so successful is less about what we do than it is about the attitude we bring to how we do it,” says Weiss. “When we start from a place of beginner’s mind, and add a big dose of curiosity, patience and appreciation, learning happens because as human beings we are wired to learn and grow. In many ways, it comes down to doing less and trusting more in our innate capacities and vast potential.”
Leadership development programs should provide tangible, long lasting results and a program like PEP that engages the heart, mind and body is an example of one that appears to work.
Rather than seek a one-off, one-day solution for developing leaders in your organization, look for a longer term program with dynamic involvement that includes mindfulness and disciplined practice for changing behavior. Only then will you have a significant return on investment measured not only in dollars, but also in more engaged human capital.

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Real world view: My business partner was very pro PEP. I was a bit more reserved. However we were about to start a new e commerce business and thought if increasing myself-awareness helps me cultivate the ability to act rather than react, thus enabling me to become response-able, even in the midst of high-stress situations, hey I'll give it a try. Our business was to take the "seconds" from our textile printing manufacturing plant and create, as my young daughter would say, adorable dog beds. The fabrics were high end designer seconds that normally would not be useable for yardage for drapes or upholstery. But using the fabric to make dog beds that would look good even in one's living room, would be perfect. And our offer would be for each to be a luxury round dog bed pillow to attract the price conscious dog owner. If I liked the results from our PEP program I thought we could also do PEP workshops for our printing mill. Update: PEP really did make a difference in the way I approach all aspects of my life, both business and personal. I have recommended this leadership development program to other business associates. And our dog bed business is doing exceptionally well.

 

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The Practice of Personal Excellence
A Radical Approach to Organizational Transformation

Every year companies spend billions of dollars on training and development, trying to help their people become more engaged, more innovative, and better leaders. Training programs excel in introducing new ideas and perspectives, delivering feedback and assessment data, and teaching basic skills. But many organizations still face a conundrum: how to inspire learning and development that is truly transformational and lasting?

Developing a person is not the same as building a product or delivering a project on time—human beings grow in organic, dynamic ways.

What is needed is a process for human development that actively teaches people how to learn and grow.

The Challenge: Creating a Culture
In 2006, Pamela Weiss, an executive coach and founder of Appropriate  Response, was teaching meditation and mindfulness to employees in Genentech’s Information Technology department. Classes were consistently full and had created a buzz within the department.

Todd Pierce, then Senior VP of the department, saw an opportunity. “We are a company dedicated to discovery and innovation,” he told Pam, “I want to create a culture of human development within my organization. Let’s build on the principles of coaching and mindfulness to create something really different.”

The challenge was clear: to translate the wisdom of meditation and mindfulness into a pragmatic set of principles and practices that would radically transform the fast-paced world of corporate technology.

PEP was developed in response to this challenge.

 

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PRESS

 

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More Background on ThePersonalExcellenceProgram.com

ThePersonalExcellenceProgram.com serves as the digital home for the Personal Excellence Program (PEP), a transformative organizational and personal development initiative. Known for its origins at Genentech, a leading biotechnology company, PEP has become a benchmark in the field of employee engagement, leadership development, and coaching-based transformation. This article provides a thorough, independent overview of the program’s history, structure, impact, audience, and broader significance, as reported and discussed by external sources.

History and Origins

The Personal Excellence Program was conceived in the early 2000s at Genentech, a company recognized for its culture of innovation. The program was developed in response to challenges related to employee engagement and organizational culture, particularly within Genentech’s IT and manufacturing departments. The initiative was led by Todd Pierce, then Chief Information Officer, in partnership with executive coach Pamela Weiss. Their goal was to create a more holistic and sustainable approach to professional growth, moving beyond traditional training methods.

The program’s early success at Genentech led to its expansion and recognition within the broader business and coaching communities. It became known for integrating coaching, mindfulness, and behavioral science to drive both individual and organizational transformation.

Program Structure and Philosophy

Core Elements

The Personal Excellence Program is structured as a long-term developmental journey, typically spanning about ten months. Its design is rooted in several key components:

• Large Group Workshops: These sessions introduce foundational concepts and foster a sense of community among participants.

• Facilitated Small Group Meetings: These groups provide peer support, accountability, and a space for sharing experiences.

• Individual Coaching Sessions: Participants receive personalized guidance tailored to their unique goals and challenges.

• Peer Coaching: Regular peer coaching sessions reinforce learning and promote a culture of mutual support.

• Deliberate Practice: The program emphasizes sustained, real-world practice of new behaviors, ensuring that changes are lasting rather than fleeting.

Underlying Philosophy

The program is built on the belief that people are inherently whole and capable of growth. It integrates intellectual, emotional, and somatic (body-based) intelligence, encouraging participants to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and practical leadership skills. Mindfulness is a cornerstone of the curriculum, teaching individuals to observe their thoughts and behaviors, manage stress, and make more thoughtful decisions.

Audience and Reach

While PEP was initially designed for Genentech employees, its structure and principles are applicable to a wide range of professionals and organizations. The program is particularly relevant for:

• Mid-level and senior managers seeking to enhance leadership skills

• Teams facing high stress or organizational change

• Organizations aiming to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement

The program’s success at Genentech has inspired similar initiatives at other companies and has influenced best practices in leadership development across industries.

Reputation and Recognition

Awards

One of the most significant acknowledgments of PEP’s impact is the International Coach Federation (ICF) Prism Award, which Genentech received in 2010. The Prism Award is a prestigious honor given to organizations that demonstrate outstanding results through coaching as a leadership strategy. The ICF specifically cited Genentech’s integration of coaching into its business culture and the measurable business outcomes achieved through PEP.

Press and Media Coverage

The Personal Excellence Program has been featured in various business and coaching publications, including industry magazines and leadership journals. These articles often highlight the program’s innovative blend of mindfulness, coaching, and peer support, as well as its rigorous approach to measuring outcomes.

Independent Reviews

Feedback from program participants and independent observers has been overwhelmingly positive. Employees have reported improvements in self-awareness, communication, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. Many have noted that the program’s benefits extend beyond the workplace, positively impacting their personal lives.

Measurable Impact

External reporting and case studies have documented several key outcomes associated with the Personal Excellence Program:

• Increased Employee Engagement: Participants consistently report higher levels of engagement and satisfaction.

• Improved Communication and Collaboration: Teams experience better collaboration and conflict resolution.

• Higher Customer Satisfaction: The program’s influence on employee performance translates to improved customer experiences.

• Tangible Business Results: Studies have shown measurable improvements in productivity, agility, and business performance.

• Return on Investment: Evaluations have found that the program produces a significant return on investment, with some studies estimating a return of $1.50 to $2 for every dollar spent.

Cultural and Social Significance

Shifting the Paradigm

The Personal Excellence Program has contributed to a broader shift in how organizations approach employee development. Its success demonstrates that coaching, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence are not just “soft skills,” but essential drivers of business success. The program has helped to popularize mindfulness-based leadership training and holistic development in corporate settings.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion

By fostering self-awareness and empathy, PEP supports efforts to build more inclusive and psychologically safe workplaces. Participants learn to appreciate diverse perspectives and communicate more effectively across differences, contributing to a healthier organizational culture.

Examples and Insights

Typical Participant Journey

A participant in the Personal Excellence Program might begin with a self-assessment and goal-setting exercise, followed by an initial workshop on mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Over the following months, they would engage in small group meetings, receive individual coaching, and practice new behaviors in their daily work. Peer coaching sessions provide additional support, and progress is tracked through feedback and reflection exercises.

Real-World Outcomes

• A manager struggling with team conflict learns to pause and reflect before reacting, leading to more constructive conversations and improved team morale.

• An employee experiencing burnout develops mindfulness techniques to manage stress, resulting in greater resilience and productivity.

• A cross-functional team uses peer coaching to break down silos and collaborate more effectively on complex projects.

Comparison to Other Programs

Other organizations and consultancies offer programs with similar names or overlapping themes, such as the "Leading Through Personal Excellence" program by ExecOnline and the "Personal Excellence Programme" by Schuitema Group. However, these programs differ in duration, focus, and methodology. For example, ExecOnline’s program is a six-week executive development course based on the Stanford Leadership Model, while Schuitema Group’s offering is a five-day retreat focused on inner transformation. ThePersonalExcellenceProgram.com’s PEP is distinguished by its long-term, immersive approach and its integration of coaching, mindfulness, and peer support.

Broader Influence

The Personal Excellence Program’s influence extends beyond Genentech and its direct participants. Its methodologies and outcomes have informed best practices in leadership development, coaching, and organizational culture across industries. The program’s emphasis on mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and sustained behavioral change has become increasingly relevant in today’s fast-paced, complex business environment.

 

ThePersonalExcellenceProgram.com represents more than just a website—it is the online face of a pioneering approach to personal and organizational development. The Personal Excellence Program’s blend of coaching, mindfulness, and peer support has set a new standard for leadership and employee engagement. Recognized by industry awards and featured in business publications, the program continues to influence how organizations cultivate talent, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change.

Through its innovative structure, measurable impact, and commitment to holistic growth, the Personal Excellence Program stands as a model for what is possible when organizations invest in the full potential of their people.

 

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